Concussions in NFL up 21 percent from last season

[December 14, 2010]  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Concussions are being reported at a much higher rate in the NFL this season, which the league considers evidence that players and teams are taking head injuries more seriously.

According to NFL data obtained by The Associated Press, 154 concussions that happened in practices or games were reported from the start of the preseason through the eighth week of the 2010 regular season.

That is an increase of 21 percent over the 127 concussions during the same span in 2009, and a 34 percent jump from the 115 reported through the eighth week of the 2008 season.

Dr. Hunt Batjer, co-chairman of the NFL's head, neck and spine medical committee, calls the numbers "a great sign" because they show "the culture is changed."

[Associated Press; By HOWARD FENDRICH]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.